What's the difference??

howdy ho neighbors!

Decided to report in about the difference in running at that awesome gym, and running outside.


So here's the deal:

On this website, (www.trainer.active.com), I started a training program for running a 10K. Today, after an ugly wind/snow/ice storm last night, I was forced to gallop my way to Anytime Fitness with my cousin.. because it happened to be my running day. I was supposed to run 35 minutes, and then run hard and strong for 100m, walk 30 seconds, run 100m, walk 30 seconds, run 100m, walk 30 seconds.. and then finish with one last run of 100m.

Anywho.. that's not what this is about. Okay, so has anyone ever heard that running on a treadmill with an incline of 0%, is the equivalent to running outside downhill? I have read it multiple times on exercise articles.. and I don't agree with it 99.9%. So I did some research...

•Apparently, the gym is weather controlled.. meaning less wind, and the heat is just right.. Now, I do agree with this, and running against wind outside is a great workout... speaking from experience.. However, does that mean that just because I'm not running against wind, that I'm not getting as great of a workout?

• Gyms have these things called treadmills. I did some research on them as well... Because the treadmill is moving in a circular motion and you are running, virtually, in place, it is said to do some of the work for you, and that is why running at 0% incline is the same as running downhill. (As you can see, running downhill is naturally the best part of a workout outside, because it is effortless).

Those are the two main things I came across.. however, I am having trouble believing this stuff, because outside I run a straight mile about 45 seconds faster than what I can do in the gym, and outside is not weather controlled, especially living in Minnesota. I typically am out of breath by the end of my typical 3 miles, however I am not sweating profusely.. but today at the gym I am out of breath and my shirt is drenched in sweat.. (I know, I know.. doesn't sound that sweet).. haha.

So, now I leave it up to you my dear blog readers... If you so think that treads aren't as good of a workout, then by all means, up the incline by a percent, or make your workout just that much longer.. or stay outside.. But, to me I get a great workout on the tread, and so says my BURNING legs tonight.. and any workout is better than no workout.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a fantastical New Year's Eve, and are ready to start 2012 with a huge baaaaang!

Cheers!
Live Confidently.